Been lurking for a long time and really enjoy this forum.

Ultimate goal is to go for buffalo/plains game....someday. Was going to go for M70 416Rem but biggest thing I've ever shot is my 300WinMag. Figured you don't step into a F1 car when you want to get into racing, you work your way up.

I was leaning towards the M70 Safari in 375 but I really like the looks of the new Alaskan. Is there any difference in the actions or barrel contours? Any other comments? Think I'd also be happy with a CZ but I think the M70 action is more appropriate for a 375 just in case it only ever see moose or elk hunt (or just PA whitetail).

Trying to sell the wife on a trip to Africa for our 25th anniversary. Can I guarantee no bugs, air conditioning, a pool and room service?...Now that doesn't sound like much fun.

You can gaurantee whatever you think you can get away with. The first time she sees wild Africa all the gaurantees will be forgiven.

The actions should be no different from one another, besides the Alaskan being stainless. Can't help you on the barrel contour, but I know the Alaskan has a 25" barrel and the Safari a 24". If you plan on the rifle possibly seeing some wet weather someday personally I'd go with the Alaskan. If you don't like the 25" barrel you can always have it cut down and have the sights re-installed. You might like the 25" though...like I said you can always cut it down, but with the Safari you can't glue on extra inches!

Thanks for the replies.

Wish i could handle M70 Alaskan, M70 Safari & CZ rifles side by side. Just going by pictures the Alaskan barrel looks really slender but thats not very scientific. The 300winmag I have is a M70 Extreme Weather and I think a SS 375 would make a nice addition. I want these to be my main go to rifles.

Wife thinks a safari for our 25th would be fun. If going solo buffalo would be my primary goal but if wife is going, which I would love to share the experience with her, I'm thinking a plains game safari might be the way to go. God willing it won't be my one and only trip to Africa.

Personally, I favor the stainless. Yes, it is Africa, but the dust does beat up finishes pretty well even when it is dry.

My PH in Zambia had a great old pre-64 70 in .375 H&H but it just about had no bluing left at all. He carried it by the barrel over his shoulder without a sling. I think the Alaskan would be perfect for that.

quote:

Wish i could handle M70 Alaskan, M70 Safari & CZ rifles side by side.

You should do just that. Go handle as many 375's as you can find. Choose the rifle that chooses you. Fit and feel and way more important than if it is a Winchester vs CZ.

If you are only going to Africa once, and do not plan on becoming a big bore DG fanatic, stick with the 375, be it H&H or Ruger.

Go stainless!

quote:

Trying to sell the wife on a trip to Africa for our 25th anniversary. Can I guarantee no bugs, air conditioning, a pool and room service?...Now that doesn't sound like much fun.

Well, yes you can find camps with pools. Room service? Not really but in safari camp they feed you like royalty, do your laundry daily, etc. Air conditioning, uh no. Bugs? Well I've lived in the southern US a long time. It's hotter and more humid and there are more bugs here at home than in Zimbabwe in August/September. The missus will love Africa.

About your rifle, you can get reduced loads for practice made up for a .416 from John LaSala at Safari Arms.

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You should do just that. Go handle as many 375's as you can find. Choose the rifle that chooses you. Fit and feel and way more important than if it is a Winchester vs CZ.

I think this is the best advice. If you have a Cabela's close by, go walk through the gun library; they usually have a few 375's to see.

I would also recommend getting the 416 if that's what you long for. Once you go, you're going to try everything to get back there, you might as well start with your dream Africa gun. You can always download it.

Follow your initial thought. Get the .416Rem caliber in a Winchester M70 SS. You might look for a used one. Some 10-12 years ago the Winchester Custom Shop made a run of them in SS as Special Builds with walnut stocks. I ordered one customized to my specs - synthetic stock and bbl band sling swivel.

Stainless steel and synthetic stocks simply make more sense to me for a working rifle, especially in africa. I've carried both over many years on many safaris in many countries under a range of weather conditions.

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Some 10-12 years ago the Winchester Custom Shop made a run of them in SS as Special Builds with walnut stocks.

Lionhunter

I have one of those, and in fact it is the rifle I have been testing your 416 Remington Ammo in! Amazing! Those rifles are hard to come by these days, once and while I see one on gunbroker. Absolutely great rifle. Of course it would be, it's a Winchester--was destined to greatness from the beginning! HEH........

If it don't say Winchester on it, leave it at home!

Michael

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Was going to go for M70 416Rem but biggest thing I've ever shot is my 300WinMag. Figured you don't step into a F1 car when you want to get into racing, you work your way up

I wouldn't worry to much about that. I jumped from a 338 WM to 416s-both a Rem Mag and 416 B&M last year with out any problems. and IMHO the 300 WM kicks harder than my 338. Go with what you want-its about the fun!

SSR

quote:

Originally posted by michael458:

I have one of those, and in fact it is the rifle I have been testing your 416 Remington Ammo in! Amazing! Those rifles are hard to come by these days, once and while I see one on gunbroker. Absolutely great rifle. Of course it would be, it's a Winchester--was destined to greatness from the beginning! HEH........

If it don't say Winchester on it, leave it at home!

Michael

That's the rifle Beau will use for his first Buff and possibly Hippo in just 4 weeks. Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned to you that I put some rounds downrange with it and was reminded how much I like that rifle (and the .416Rem cartridge)? If one of those Special Builds came up for sale, I'd be hard pressed to pass on getting another. That was a great deal from the Custom Shop! Only one other was built to my specs and it is owned by one of my hunting partners. But I've tried to break myself of the multiple rifles in the same caliber situation, as one invariably becomes a safe queen.

Remember, a .416Rem will do everything a .375 will do, but will do it better!

quote:

Remember a few weeks ago when I mentioned to you that I put some rounds downrange with it and was reminded how much I like that rifle (and the .416Rem cartridge)?

Yes, but I missed the part about it being one of those stainless guns! My buddy here Big John wanted that rifle I now have, so we found it somewhere, damned if I remember, and he got it. I don't know, couple of years later he got out of the big bore business, and I bought this 416 stainless and a 458 Lott from the Custom Shop, and then he and I bought a couple of the 358 STAs Win did back in the 90s too, so I got his to match mine, have two now.... The 358 STAs are stainless/wood as well. Those are some really fine rifles, I think the 416 was made around the same time as the 358s.

I am sorry, I have not read this thread entirely, but 375 is a good girly gun for the ladies to shoot rats and such with. But, you are correct Lionhunter, 416 would even dispatch rats better as well!

HEH
Michael

I think Leslie at the Winchester Custom Shop made that Special Build around 1999/2000. I have the original Spec Sheet here somewhere. It really was an incredible deal. I started looking for a .416Rem after I killed my first Ele in 1998. They were impossible to find; I searched the entire country. Finally found a new Remington 700 Custom Shop rifle that had passed from dealer to dealer but had never been sold. I had Remington trade the walnut stock for a grey McMillan and it was a sweet shooter and I killed some Buff with it on a couple safaris. But when the Winchesters were announced I had to have one. Eventually sold the Remington which was a blued rifle and kept the Winchester. It's since killed a lot of Buff, Eland, etc.

Here's from the Winchester Spec Sheet:

SPECIAL "CUSTOM SHOP" BUILD
"LIMITED QUANTITY ONLY"
MODEL 70 - 416 Rem. Mag.
Symbol No: 535-910139 Quantity: 125 Units
Est. Delivery: June/July
Model 70 Features:
- Controlled round feeding.
- Polished bolt face & lugs squared.
- 24" Stainless steel, match grade cut rifled express barrel with satin glass bead finish.
- Standard factory sights. (blued)
- Selected (American walnut) stock with cheekpiece and (2) cross bolts.
- Inletted sling swivel bases. (Front/Rear)
- Satin polyurethane stock finish with machined point checkering pattern.
- Hand engine turned bolt and follower.

These rifles must be ordered directly through the Custom Shop!

Retail Price: $1,785.00 Show Price: $1,339.00

Leslie agreed to swap the walnut stock for a synthetic and add a bbl. band swivel for me and my partner at the same show price. There was a walnut shortage at the time. Believe it or not, I think they sold very slowly back then!

Thanks for the replies.

I remember reading a long time ago that most PH's thought a 30-06 and a 375 were what they wanted to see a client bring. And if you rent a rifle it is still most likely to be one of those calibers. But, a 300 and a 416 seem to be what experienced hunters recommend.

In time I'll probably end up getting both a 375 and a 416. I think a 300 and a 416 would be a great pair for Africa. I just thought a 375 would be good for north american game and a step towards a real big bore. Although downloading a 416 and working up to full recoil is an option.

I'm at the point where I want to go hunting more than buying guns (never thought I'd say I want to slow down buying guns).

Wife is all for going to africa. Actually she wants to make it a family trip now. Looks like the kids are going to go to community college.